As soon as your tattoo has healed, it is not unusual to experience some redness and swelling due to your body’s natural reaction to healing the wound caused by the tattooing process: sending blood directly to that area. Your body requires nutrients, oxygen, and blood-clotting cells to heal quickly. If any symptoms of infection arise during this process, seek medical advice immediately!
Redness
Tattooing puts immense stress on your skin. Needles are used to pierce thousands of times into it, creating an opening in which redness and inflammation may emerge as your body responds to redness and irritation. Your blood pumps directly to the area in need, providing it with essential nutrients, oxygen, and blood-clotting cells – helping the tattoo to heal more quickly and thoroughly. Hence, its redness is normal and should not cause concern. However, if redness persists beyond the area of tattooed skin and spreads beyond its immediate vicinity, it could be an indicator of an infection. While infections are uncommonly severe, they may produce symptoms in and around a tattooed site, such as itching, swelling, inflammation, and even rashes that appear around it. These symptoms frequently occur together, including fever, chills, or shakes in more severe cases. If these signs appear, contact a healthcare provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Swelling
tattoos are a fantastic way to mark yourself permanently, yet they may also cause itching and swelling. Luckily, most symptoms will subside within days on their own. If itching persists, it could be an allergic reaction to either the ink or product your tattoo artist used. If severe itching occurs, consult a dermatologist or other medical provider to identify its source and possible treatment options.
Heat
After getting your tattoo, it isn’t unusual to feel slightly warm to the touch due to your body’s immune system fighting the ink injected under it. Redness may also appear, which results from its immune response against this foreign substance injected under the skin. Reactions from tattooing should generally be temporary and will subside within several weeks. However, if your tattoo seems hot, itchy, or bleeding excessively quickly or heavily, it is best to consult a professional immediately. Avoid overexertion and other activities that could irritate the area to keep your tattoo from burning and feeling hot. Direct sunlight should also be avoided as much as possible; if necessary, wear clothing over it to block UV rays that could fade its color and damage its artwork.
Pain
tattoos require healing time to appear their best fully and should show slight redness or swelling when first applied, although this process could take days or weeks before appearing as planned. Keeping the area dry and cool can speed up healing time and increase healing rates. Checking your tattoo for signs of infection is also wise, with a rash being an early telltale. If this rash is accompanied by fevers, cold chills, foul-smelling discharge, pus, or an open sore, it could indicate something more serious. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics, though! To protect yourself and avoid experiencing complications during a tattoo session, it’s wise to be informed and select a professional you trust when choosing your provider.
